Thursday, Feb. 21

•Weight loss challenge and free nutrition class, 10-11 a.m., 183 River St., Bethel. Info: 234-9506.

•Professor Jerold S. Kayden of the Harvard Graduate School of Design presents "For Whom the Bell Tolls: Reflections on Eminent Domain, Constitutional Review, and Public Attitudes," 4:30 p.m., Chase Community Ctr., Vt. Law School, So. Royalton. Free.

•Dartmouth College English professor Ernest Hebert, the New England Booksellers Association’s 2006 Fiction Author of the Year, will talk on "What Does It Mean To Be an American?" 7 p.m., Tunbridge Public Library. Refreshments and author signings follow, free admission, donations welcome. Info: 889-9404.

•"Providing a World Class Education at a Reasonable Cost," a Vt. Tiger panel discussion and public forum with Walter Freed, Thomas Salmon, Mike Hebert, Curtis Hier, and Paul Cillo; 6 p.m., Capitol Plaza, Montpelier. Free.

Friday, Feb. 22

•Bingo Night sponsored by the Tunbridge Grange, 7 p.m., Grange Hall, North Tunbridge.

•Soupathon, all you can eat soups, bread and desserts, 5-7:30 p.m., Unitarian Universalist MeetingHouse, Rte. 5 South, Norwich. Info: Mary Layton at 802-649-1973.

Fri. & Sat., Feb. 22 & 23

•Thrift shop sponsored by the Women’s Alliance, good condition used clothing for the whole family, plus household items and more; Friday, 4:30-6:30 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m.-12 noon, closed if there is bad weather; basement of the Federated Church, Main St., Rochester. Proceeds help fund local charitable efforts. Info: Estelle at 767-4045 or Edith at 767-4440.

•"Confronting Global Climate Change: Using the Law To Protect Future Generations," two-day symposium from VJEL and the Vermont Law Review; opening address by former U.S. Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt, Friday at 4 p.m. Panel discussions and reception free and open to the public. Info: 802-831-1000.

Saturday, Feb.23

•Free Home Weatherization Workshop presented by Efficiency Vermont and sponsored by the Brookfield Energy Group, learn how to reduce your energy use and costs, 9 a.m.-12 noon, Old Dorm Lounge, Vt. Technical College, Randolph Center.

•Pancake Breakfast, 7:30-9:30 p.m., White Church, Route 12, Bethel. Proceeds benefit church kitchen renovation project.

•Lunar New Year celebration in Rochester village, includes lantern making for children, food sampling, and Asian traditional games, 2-5 p.m. at Rochester Library; parade up Main Street led by a giant "Rat," with gongs, drums, and procession of lantern makers, 4 p.m. Info: call John Wong at 767-4342.

Sat. & Sun., Feb. 23-24

•Antique Gun Show, free appraisals, Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sun., 9 a.m.-3 p.m., American Legion Post, 129 Main St., White River Jct. Info: 802-875-4540.

Monday, Feb. 25

•Legislative breakfast sponsored by the Bethel Business Assoc., free event, meet and hear from area legislators, 7:30-9 a.m., Black Forest Café, Main St., Bethel. Info: Kirk White at 234-9670.

Tuesday, Feb. 26

•Bingo Night, 6:30 p.m., White Church on the park, Bethel.

•Book discussion series on Canadian cultural diversity, led by Helene Lang, discuss Antonine Maillet’s "Pelagie-La-Charrette," 7 p.m., Kimball Public Library, Randolph. Info: call Lynne Gately at 728-5073.

•Healthy Mommies/Healthy Kids Club, 10-11 a.m.; plus weight loss challenge and free nutrition class, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; weekly wellness club, 4:30-7 p.m.; Wellness Solution Center at Enterprise Center, Rte. 66, Randolph. For info call Carrie at 728-8987.

•Dr. J. Kehaulani Kauanui, associate professor of anthropology and American studies at Wesleyan University, speaks on "Native Sovereignty, Civil Rights, and Questions of Social Justice," 7 p.m., Chase Community Center, Vt. Law School, So. Royalton. Free admission.

•CSA Forum, meet CSA members and local farmers who run CSAs, learn how a CSA functions; find out what products are available; and ask questions; 7 p.m., Social Hall of the Unitarian-Universalist Church, 7 Church St., Woodstock. Info: contact Cathy Emmons at vtangus@sover.net.

Wednesday, Feb. 27

•Weight loss challenge and free nutrition class, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; Wellness Solution Center at Enterprise Center, Rte. 66, Randolph. For info call Carrie at 728-8987.

Thursday, Feb. 28

•Weight loss challenge and free nutrition class, 10-11 a.m., 183 River St., Bethel. Info: 234-9506.

•Bridge night at the Pines in Chelsea, meets every other Thursday, come at 6:30 p.m. to eat and/or 7 p.m. to play. Beginners encouraged, all levels welcome.

Friday, Feb. 29

•Bingo Night sponsored by the Tunbridge Grange, 7 p.m., Grange Hall, North Tunbridge.

Saturday, March 1

•Winter Carnival and Chili Contest sponsored by Sharon Recreation, the Sharon PTO and One Planet, with cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sliding, snowman building and snow sculptures, snow painting, snowmobile rides, chili lunch and chili judging, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Sharon Elementary School. Info: 763-8280.

•Fourth Annual Sharon Academy Gala with appetizers, desserts, and dancing to music by Dr. Burma, 7-11 p.m., Sharon Academy, Sharon. For tickets call Elly Boerke at 802-763-2500, ext. 116. Tickets also sold at the door.

•"Cabin Fever Day," a day of fun and games to wipe away winter blues, with bingo tournament, board games, carnival games, food, and raffle prizes, 1:30-5:30 p.m., Chase Community Center, Vt. Law School, So. Royalton. Info: 802-831-1000.